8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
I'm not wealthy enough to afford the gift of grace.
I'm not smart enough to ascertain the gift of grace.
This gift is freely given to whosoever will. It is the unmerited favor of God given because you ask for it. Not because you deserve it , and not because you can earn it. Consider the words of Philip Yancey, "There is nothing you can do to make God love you more. There is nothing you can do to make God love you less."
The gift of grace is limitless. And quite frankly, might even be too divine for our finite minds to comprehend. Grace is freely given to the poor and the rich. To the young and the old. To the educated and the unlearned. To comprehend that is difficult.
If I could earn it, I would be able to boast. If I could buy it, maybe I could also sell it. If I was educated enough to truly comprehend it, maybe I might feel I didn't need it. So grace is the gift of God given through faith. It has nothing to do with you or me and everything to do with God. And that adds to the complexity and beauty of this gift!
God, the creator of the heavens and earth, robed Himself in flesh to die a cruel death so that I might receive grace! WOW! But wait, there's more! Fasten the seatbelt of your mind, because we're about to hit some mental turbulence...
Had it not been for God robing Himself in flesh, and offering this gift of grace to Gentiles, I would not be able to attain it all. Prior to the New Covenant, one had to either be a Jew, or become a Jew by circumcision of the flesh. However, that all changed at Calvary. Paul writes later in Ephesians and explains that this gift of grace made it possible for Gentiles to become fellow-heirs together in Christ.
Now, because of grace, I am born again, heaven bound, and I can claim inheritance in Jesus Christ. I didn't deserve it. I still don't. But this gift was freely given, and I'm grateful to have received it. I now have access to God and confidence through faith to fulfill His purpose. I may not be wealthy, or have societal influence, but I can join Paul and say, "by the grace of God, I am what I am..."
